Blackmagic notes that the reason for the price drop is based on customer feedback regarding the lack of use of the fiber connection. Blackmagic has removed the connection from the cameras and made it an aftermarket accessory that can simply be plugged into the camera.

Personally, I think the biggest detraction from the studio cameras is the lack of lens options. Sure there are plenty of Micro Four Thirds cameras in the world and you can buy an adapter for virtually any other lens mount. However, many users would like to put studio B4 lenses on these cameras and that is just a clunky option.

If Blackmagic had built these cameras with a 2/3″ sensor and a native B4 lens mount, I don’t think they could make them fast enough. Sometimes, a bigger sensor is not always the best option.

Panasonic has announced the new AG-AC90 AVCCAM HD camcorder, which features 3-MOS image sensors capturing HD video at 1080/60p, 60i, 30p and 24p.

The pro camcorder features a stabilized 12x optical zoom lens (29.8-357.6mm equivalent) and three independent adjustable rings for zoom, focus and iris. The AC90 records to two SD card slots with support for SDXC and UHS-1. Data rates measure 28Mbps for 60p only and 21Mbps average for other 1080 frame rates. Lower data rates are available for extended recording times.

The AC90 also includes dual XLR inputs and a built-in stereo mic. The camera has both an eye-piece viewfinder and a 3.5-inch LCD monitor at 1.15MP resolution.

The Pansonic AG-AC90 will be available in late fall 2012 at a targeted $2250 retail price. Check for availability at B&H Photo.

The Fuji FinePix F800EXR is a new 16MP point and camera with a 20x optical zoom lens (25-500mm equivalent).

Like the recently introduced Samsung MV900F and the Panasonic SZ5, the new F800EXR features built-in Wi-Fi compatibility. Akin to the Panasonic SZ5, Fuji offers a free app that can be installed on Android and iOS devices, which will connect the F800EXR to your smartphone or tablet. Using this app, you can download images from the camera to your mobile device and edit or share them as you see fit.

Additional features on the F800EXR include a 3-inch, 460K-dot res LCD, 1080p HD video capture and RAW image capture.

The Fuji F800EXR should be available in August for $349.95. Check availability at B&H Photo.

We kinda expected a pricepoint in this neighborhood; however, now that I’m actually looking at it, it’s hard to believe that Sony is delivering 240fps at full 1080p for $8k. And, to boot, it’s going to capture 4K via an external recorder.

No pre-orders yet, but stay tuned. I’ll let you know as soon as they open up.

The oft-rumored Samsung NX200 has finally been unveiled. The NX200 features a Samsung-developed 20.3MP image sensor that also captures 1080p HD video.

The NX200 offers a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12,800 and sports a 3.0” VGA AMOLED display. Additionally, the NX200 makes use of a new i-Function 2.0 lens control, which is compatible with existing i-Function lenses, as well as new lenses at 18-200mm, 16mm, 60mm and 85mm focal lengths. Samsung also claims rapid AF and shooting speeds with a max frame rate of 7fps.

No word yet on price or release date. Check availability on Amazon.com.

In the above video from Beet.TV, Vice President & Director of Associated Press Broadcasting News, Kevin Roach, talks about writers taking on video projects and photographers adding the 5D Mark II to their arsenal in order to tell a story beyond a single frame.

No doubt the 5D Mark II is a game changer; however, Roach’s commentary on the AP’s approach to news gathering and what this new era of DSLRs has done for the AP is interesting nonetheless.